Week 6, Term 4 2022 - 8th November 2022

APRE's Reflection

Dear Parents,

On Friday we will acknowledge Remembrance Day.

We will be silent, we will pray and we will commit ourselves to work towards peace in this world.

Each day we pray for peace and strive to model, teach and foster peaceful relationships.

In the words of Oscar Romero….

Peace is not the product of terror or fear.
Peace is not the silence of cemeteries.
Peace is not the silent result of violent repression.
Peace is the generous, tranquil contribution of all,
to the good of all.

Please feel welcome to join us for our Remembrance Day Service and our morning assembly where Mr Ken Higgins, RSL Mackay President, will speak to all present.

Have a wonderful week,

Terri Leotta
Assistant Principal: Religious Education

From our Principal - Mr Wes Rose

Remembrance Day Commemoration
This Friday is Remembrance Day. On the 11^th hour on the 11^th day of the 11^th month, a minutes’ silence is observed and dedicated to those soldiers who died fighting to protect our nation. In Australia and other allied countries, including New Zealand, Canada and the United States, 11^th November became known as Armistice Day – a day to remember those who died in World War One. The day continues to be commemorated in allied countries.  After World War Two, the Australian Government agreed to the United Kingdom’s proposal that Armistice Day be renamed Remembrance Day to commemorate those who lost their lives in both World Wars. Today the loss of Australian lives from all wars and conflicts is commemorated on Remembrance Day.

This Friday we welcome RSL President, Mr Ken Higgins, who will address our school assembly at 8:30am.  Then at 10:50am, the school will gather in the hall for the Remembrance Day Service and minutes’ silence.  Parents and friends are most welcome to attend.

St Mary’s Christmas Fair
I look forward to celebrating the St Mary’s Christmas Fair on Saturday 19^th Nov from 5:30pm.  Please see below some notes on the preparations for the fair;

• I sincerely thank all the parents who have already indicated they can assist on the night.  I ask that if you are able to help your year level stall, even if only for a short time, that you make contact with the year level coordinator.  Many hands make light work. 
• We require several parent helpers to assist with the fair set-up. We will set up tables and chairs on Thursday (17/11) afternoon from 1:50pm in the Basketball area (due to Swim Carnival Fri)
• We require assistance to pick up 2 lighting towers on Friday morning. If you have a car with a towball and can assist, please let me know.
• Raffle ticket books went home with the eldest child in the family yesterday. This major raffle is a big fundraiser for the fair, so I ask that each family try to sell at least one book of 10 tickets.  Please return the ticket stubs and correct ticket money to the school office by Friday 18th.  If you require more raffle books, please see the office.

Mackay Big Ideas Challenge
All the best to the 20 Year 6 students who will participate in the Mackay Big Ideas Challenge, held at Mercy College tomorrow. Powered by Future Anything, the Big Ideas Challenge is a fast-paced and hands-on days of listening, learning, and doing culminating in teams of students pitching their own innovative solutions to a complex, local issue.  Students will hear from some of Australia’s most inspiring changemakers, as well as explicitly developing their entrepreneurial thinking and human-centred design skills.

Regional Leadership Mass
This Thursday, Leadership teams and long-serving retiring staff (15+ years of service) from across the Mackay region will gather at the HSC Chapel for the Regional farewell Mass and dinner.  This year, we farewell four long-serving staff; Judy Fisher (St Mary’s teacher assistant for 28 years), Sally Farrell (St Mary’s teacher assistant for 27 years), Paula Eva (teacher assistant at St Anne’s Sarina/St Mary’s Mackay for 25 years) and Chris Burchill (teacher at St Anne’s Sarina/St Mary’s Mackay for 23 years).  On behalf of the school community, I thank these ladies for their dedicated service to Catholic Education, for collectively over 100 years! Well done!

2023 Orientation Morning
We are preparing for our upcoming orientation morning for all students on Thursday 24^th November. Students currently in Prep – Year 5 will spend the morning in their 2023 classroom, meeting their 2023 teacher.  Our current Yr 6 students have their orientation day at their respective Catholic Colleges.  Our incoming 2023 Preps will also visit St Mary’s from 9:15am-10:30am.

Teachers for 2023
Due to several staff changes (retirement, transfers, etc), we are still finalizing our classroom teachers for 2023.  I continue to work closely with Mr Michael McCusker (Assistant Director: Schools) to recruit high quality classroom teachers to St Mary’s School.  Once we secure the required number of teaching staff, we will then be able to communicate to families the class teachers for 2023.  I thank all parents and staff for their patience with this matter.

Quote of the Day

Sacrament of Reconciliation - Important Dates

REMINDER: Workshop 2 for the Sacrament of Reconciliation is this Thursday 10th November

St Mary's Swimming Carnival

Book Club Orders

Socktober Thanks

Many thanks to our St Mary's Community. Together we raised an amazing $628.05 in our Socktober activities. This along with other funds raised at our International Food Day last term, will be donated to support the great works of Catholic Mission.

Terri Leotta
Assistant Principal: Religious Education

St Mary's Christmas Fair - Saturday 19th November

Major Raffle
Raffle tickets were distributed to the eldest in the family yesterday, so please check your child's bag. Each family were given a book of 10 tickets @ $3 per ticket.

Please return the sold tickets stubs with correct money included, to the school office no later than Friday 18th November. If you require additional raffle books, please contact the office.  

Fair Coordinators
A big thank you to all parents who have volunteered their time either being a Fair Coordinator or a volunteer at the fair. Can you please contact the following Coordinators if you are able to help.

Stalls                                     Coordinators
Prep - Fairy Floss & Snow Cones           Aileen Balding (Prep C)
Grade 1 - Mini Cent Sale                  Lisa-Ann McNamara (1B) & Bianca Miles (1L)
Grade 2 - Cold Drinks                                       Laura Theodore (2A)
Grade 3 - Hot Chips                                           Emily Camilleri (3B)
Grade 4 - Bar                             Nikita Kinnane (4K) & Ashley Miles (4C)
Grade 5 - Sweet Stall                      Natalie Phelan (5L) & Kate Vella (5R)
Grade 6 - BBQ & Food Preparation              Jess McEwen (6V)

Unlimited Rides - Early Bird Sale!

Our 'Early Bird Sale' for the ‘Unlimited Rides Wristband’ at the Christmas Fair is on now! Your child will receive a handwritten receipt the week of the fair for proof of purchase when collecting their wristband on the night at the Ticket Box.

Please click on this link to purchase your tickets or scan the QR code below. 

St Mary's Christmas Concert

Christmas Under the Stars!

On Thursday 1st December from 6-7pm in the basketball court we will host our Christmas Concert. Our students have been busily learning several Christmas dances under the expert tutelage of our Performing Arts Teacher, Mrs Wood. 

Letters have been sent home with students with details of costume requirements, so please check your student's bag. These letters can also be found by clicking on the appropriate link below. 

Prep Grandparent's Day

Last week we welcomed many St Mary's grandparents to Prep to celebrate Grandparent's Day. They sang songs, did activities, talked about what they want to be when they are older and shared a wonderful afternoon tea. It was the perfect way to end our week and we would like to thank all of the wonderful grandparents who were able to come in and celebrate with us.

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STEM Club

The STEM club challenge last week was a tower building challenge. Groups were very creative in their designs and structures, although some learned the hard way that the surface area of the base was a vital consideration when constructing a tower that would hold its height. Well done to the challenge winners – Jayce, Levi, Gabriel, Isaac, Ashton, Harlen, Sam, Ryan, Robert, Lucas, Cooper, Archie and Finn.

Student of the Week

Week 5, Term 4 Student Award Winners

Community News